FARMINGTON -- One of the highlights for Farmington School District is that the high school had the highest graduation rate among public schools in the state for 2016, Superintendent Bryan Law reported in giving the district's Annual Report to the Public last week.

For the Class of 2016, 97.06 percent of the seniors graduated. This compares to 87 percent statewide and 89 percent in Northwest Arkansas.

School districts in Arkansas are required by state law to give an annual report to the public by Nov. 15 of each year.

The high school had accomplishments in other areas during its 2016-17 school year, Law reported.

The school offered 13 Advanced Placement classes and 151 students took advantage of those college level courses. The school gave a total of 249 AP exams and had a 49.8 percent pass rate, the highest rate for the high school.

Students who pass their AP exams are given incentive money and the high school handed out $14,225 in incentive money for the 2017 exams.

The district's average composite score for the ACT test was 20.7, compared to a state average of 19.4.

Several Farmington schools have been recognized the past few years for being high achieving schools. With this recognition, schools also receive cash rewards. Since the Arkansas Department of Education started the recognition program, Farmington schools have received almost $300,000 in reward monies to be used at school buildings in various ways, such as purchasing new technology or new literacy materials.

For 2017-18, the district expects to receive $20.1 million in revenue. Expenses will include $10 million for the teacher salary fund, $2.3 million in debt service and $8.1 million for the operating fund. The district's current millage rate is 42.6 mills.

Law reported Farmington offers the sixth highest base salary for teachers in the state. The base salary for a new teacher with a bachelor's degree is $41,200.

"I'm proud of our salaries," Law told those attending the School Board meeting.

The district has 185 certified teachers and administrators and a total of 305 employees. Of certified staff, 100 percent are considered "highly qualified."

About 38 percent of students in Farmington School District are eligible for the free and reduced lunch program.

The district's latest enrollment is 2,469 students, which is down compared to the same time last year. Last year, though, Farmington had a larger than normal decrease in students as the year progressed and ended up with 2,428 students.

If Farmington keeps its current enrollment, it will be up for the year, Law said.

He gave an update on construction projects, which includes the completion of Phases 1 and 2 for the high school campus. Phase 3 should begin by Christmas.

Other completed projects include a new roof for the technology department and an EAST lab for Williams Elementary. A proposal to expand Ledbetter's cafeteria is being discussed by school officials.

Law said he was glad to talk about construction projects but is more excited about the opportunities these will provide Farmington students and prefers to talk about things "taking place inside the buildings."